Hi, selling a $70 item on eBay. I have PayPal payment from a 0 feedback buyer registered on the day of sale. Anything I should be aware of? It will be sent with signature on delivery and I will keep receipts and photo of addressed envelope. Is that enough to protect myself from potential scams?
That's my general thought, that it is most likely ok.
As nocure said, it's a gamble.
I've had no issues with people on 0 feedback but have with people that have feedback of over 200
Equally likely to be a person with multiple accounts. Besides, feedback doesn't mean much on eBay these days. Especially regarding buyers; as the seller cannot give negative feedback anymore, and therefore unable to potentially alert the community of scammers.
Is that enough to protect myself from potential scams?
It will help, but no. Not against a determined scammer.
Interesting, didn't know the seller couldn't leave negative feedback.
I had an unscrupulous buyer make me wait weeks for payment, no responses etc. And then when I raised an appeal and then sold to another she paid, making up a story about her baby almost dying etc. etc. (I knew it was a story as she had been very active in eBay buying a number of other items during the same time period. If you have an ill child/baby you simply dont have time to spend on ebay etc. I refunded her payment immediately and said I had sold the item to another.
I also communicated with other sellers who had similar experiences with her, and all of whom she had ruined their feedback. When I left negative feedback (first time ever) stating late payment she promptly left me negative feedback, but with positive sarcastic comments. I simply did not want to post the item to her after all the nonsense.
I tried to have my otherwise perfect ebay feedback rating restored, but ebay was not helpful at all. Seems their primary aim is in encouraging buyers, and not protecting the sellers at all; will do nothing to deter an ebay buyer who plays around. I provided them with ample proof that I had sent daily reminders, and the final correspondence. I had to carry her "negative" feedback for a year yet I could do nothing to help other sellers. I blocked her; sorry I cannot recall her name etc. now but she lived in Frankston South. I was offering free delivery on a low value item. I attempted a second time to have my feedback restored but it was a total waste of time. Sellers shouldn't have to be threatened to sell their wares to people wasting their time like that. Once the time period for payment has passed that should be it, but try telling that to ebay.
Did the time frames not allow you to open an unpaid item dispute?
I did and then I waited the unpaid item dispute term out (week I believe, then when the time expired she paid. I, fed up with the process (it was a small $ transaction too), just refused her payment; repaid it immediately and promptly sold it to someone else. I would have gladly given it to someone else had they asked. I appealed to ebay twice. You have to wait a week (and prove you are following up with emails etc.), before you can appeal and then another week of waiting from that. She paid after that. I have never had an experience quite like that with anyone. Ebay wrote me a letter basically saying they will not do anything to defer a buyer from buying on ebay. I was not the only seller to receive (unwarranted) negative feedback from this woman. Put a lot of information to ebay but they really let me down. Stopped selling/buying for a time after that on ebay. Ebay has more regard for buyers than sellers; that was it in a nutshell.
You mustn't have closed the Unpaid item case. If you'd done that the buyer can't leave feedback at all. Secondly if you don't close the case, then you don't get your fees refunded either.
Ebay has a clear set of policies and procedures to follow.
Most complaints arise when people don't follow them.
@jnewau: Cannot recall doing that (cancelling the case); actually thought that was automatic after the case time limit had expired? Perhaps that is where I erred; never had a bad experience like that to deal with before. As I was not the only one affected (at least 2 others told me their stories … they also had their 100% feedback demoted by her … tbey temembered their experiences quite well). I feel sure this lady knew the ropes better than I. I gave negative feedback due to the lengthy waiting I had to do. I gave honest negstive feedback; slow payment and no communication. When I did that she ticked Negative, but the words were positive (sarcastic to me, but another may read it differently) … I asked ebay twice to have this amended but the same old story; would not do anything to stop an ebay buyer …etc.
I don't see why a seller should be held to ransom like that; didn't see why I should have to deliver her an item. Her form made it suspect to me that she could easily have said that she did not receive the item; she was playing games with some (but not all) people. During the waiting periods she was still buying other items. That would indicate that the reminders would have been quite obvious of an outstanding item.
A few times people have changed their minds or made a simple error, perhaps bid higher than they really wanted at the time, but they were easy enough to cancel their bids; no time wasted. Just either offer to the next bidder, offer them the item at a discount, or relist.
Ebay's stand seemed to be accept the payment and post the item. That's what I did wrong; refused her money. As nothing I did during the process was wrong (within all reason in my opinion) then I felt that the negative tick should have been removed. First time for everything I guess but I blocked her from having any more contact with me; her vitriolic sarcasm was not to be tolerated. (We are talking about something that would have been less than $5 too)! I felt sure she would have accepted the item and said that she didn't receive it, just to annoy me.
No problems with ebay since; first time for everything I guess. I have been very nice to people (some possibly children) and just posted the things they want without payment. My number is almost 400 so I have not done too badly on retrospect.
If it's paid for go for it.
Make sure there is a picture of it working, if applicable
Signature on delivery to verify it arrived. Keep receipt.
Thanks, yep they paid straight away. I'm thinking if they were a scammer, eBay would presumably link buyer issues across PayPal accounts, so they would have to be very determined.
most likely honest, but if you are paranoid, here is what you have to do:
. keep all the records
. take pictures showing the product in working condition
. note any distinctive points such as IMEI, model, scratches etc etc
. use postal service that shows tracking with suburb location shown when tracked ( so buyer can't claim items not delivered)
. box the item only when you get to the PO and videotape it while showing all those distintive features listed above. Also record the weigh-in of the item. So buyer can't say you send him/her different item
. pray to God endlessly :) :)
Thanks for the reply. I've decided I'm happy to sell. Done what you list except the videoing - someone else is posting for me, and don't think they'd like that idea!
Just ask them to photograph the item at the post office with the receipts placed on top. I do this every time I send a parcel and the Post Office staff dont mind at all. A photo only takes a second … and the receipts have the date and time on them as further proof. Then the problem lies with the Post Office.
I did put in claim fof a missing overseas parcel once to AusPost. It did take a bit of time but AusPost was happy enough to refund.
If you're not comfortable next time, just check your buyer restriction settings and tinker with what you want and stop people from bidding if they don't meet certain criteria
Thanks. Will do if this doesn't work out.
I had a look today and don't think you can block buyers on the basis of 0 feedback.
The only option is to block buyer with -1 rating, -2, -3, not higher.
Bit pointless since seller can't leave negatives, so who's going to have a -1 fback score?
As long as you insist on PayPal you should be fine. There is some seller/buyer protection. Signature required is a big plus too, as you have done. "No return" policy helps too if you can; stops a inconsistent buyer making a foolish purchase. All parcels have tracking, although I'm not sure, but perhaps you could pay a little extra for tracking too.
I have had people hit buy, then say they do not have PayPal. I say I am prepared to wait under those circumstances or will accept stamps. For the odd instance on a very cheap item, after I have cancelled the bid I have just posted the item anyways. Not once did I get a thank you though; that would have been nice. I think some of these are children after collectable cards etc.
I have found it useful to get to know a couple of buyer/seller personalities. We have exchanged emails so we could swap a few card collectables first, then buy/sell the rest through ebay. I know you are not supposed to do this, but seriously after the fees hit it is not like I make any profit.
Tend to find new owners for my old phones etc. privately. Rather a gifter than a profiteer, I be.
All parcels have tracking, so if you pay for a signature, you've got tracking too..
Poster said he was posting an envelope.
Was replying to you…
I was responding to the original poster. My comments make sense if you read them in context. Viz; envelopes don't automatically have tracking, whereas parcels always do. I was not disagreeing with you.
With PayPal, if you draw out any payment received and leave a NIL balance, can they still get you to pay?
Not sure about forcing you, but I have had a negative PayPal balance due to selling an item to a scammer who had a mail redirection in place. Told PayPal that I sent it to the wrong address and PayPal awarded him the case (even though I had correspondence and evidence from AP stating as much).
And if you don't do anything about the negative balance? Can also de-link any bank account & credit cards? Seems too easy for scammers.
I'm not sure what happens, I run an eBay store and the inflow negated the balance.
Your PayPal account is usually linked to a bank account and/or credit card. I actually thought that was compulsory, but perhaps I am mistaken. Sometimes I purchase when my PayPal balance is nil, with payment then coming out if my designated bank account or credit card. No fees associated with this so there is no need to keep PayPal balance "in the black."
Hit and miss, for me some 0 feedback buyers loved dicking around whereas the rest went smoothly. As always protect yourself, send it registered and if its something expensive send it with signature.
Hi Guys, my first post here. Been lurking for a while but just thought I'd weigh in on this one. Like what's been said, zero feedback buyers are generally ok, its sometimes the ones with 200, 400 or so that really stuff you around. I can go into detail but won't. Suffice to say that there is nothing much in terms of seller protection. Feebay state that signature delivery does NOT protect you if an item goes missing or gets damaged. Only item insurance does. With Aus Post once an item is $400 or over, they force you to add signature on delivery ON TOP of insurance which I think is a bit unfair! So if unsure with nil feedback, just add insurance, keep a copy of your lodgement receipt, take a photo of your parcel being sent with the address and tracking details and you should be covered for most instances if things go wrong with delivery.
I recently paid an extra $4.50 for insurance on a parcel (contents valued at $280) I sent interstate to a friend. Good value really for a little peace of mind. Cost of insurance depends on value of contents; easy to check this on auspost.com.au.
I've sold a camera to a zero feedback buyer and I was worried like the op. Googled the buyer and found his Facebook page and double checked his surname matches with the address in white pages, and maybe some other checks. He never responded any emails I sent him. In the end I sent the parcel after checking his details and there was no problem with it.
Yep did similar. Unusual name, but couldn't find them. Anyway tracking says they have the item, now just wait and see…
Hi I'm assuming the delivery is in Australia knly. Let me know if it's internationally and where to.
Use AusPost click and send website to enter in the customer address. Then pay with whatever you want. This will give you the tracking number plus the shipment documents label in PDF. Thus if PayPal dispute you will have both tracking and proof of correct address used. If buyer asked for different address, refund then ask the buyer to repurchase with correct address. you don't normally covered if the address is different with the the original address specified in payment.
Hi OZB Team,
I may have missed this somewhere in the replies but how should I handle this with collection of a fold-up bicycle in its box.
-Take photos of the box (obvious)
-Videotape the transfer? (this will most likely happen at my front door where I have cctv)
-Should I get a signature?
I was actually going to pull this from ebay and put it on gumtree as cash on collect only as I fear they will open the box.. attempt to put it together.. something may be missing etc… and I will get retaliatory bad feedback or worse..
Anyway it sold this morning form a (0) buyer registered in 2014 and they paid straight away. They reside in inner city Melbourne according to their Paypal address so hopefully that is OK.
Cheers
We all have to start at the beginning, eBay is a gamble these days but most buyers are honest.